Norwood’s Post 70 American Legion baseball squad opened the New England Regional tournament in Manchester, New Hampshire, with a dominant 9-0 victory over Concord. Displaying the composure of a team making its third consecutive appearance at the regional level, Norwood capitalized on stellar pitching and timely hitting to secure the win.
Baxter’s Dominant Pitching and Batting Display
Pitcher Bob Baxter delivered an overwhelming performance on the mound, bouncing back after giving up two singles in the first inning to retire 18 consecutive batters at one point. Throwing a remarkably efficient 71 pitches over seven innings, Baxter struck out nine batters and allowed only one base runner after the second frame before being relieved by Scott Generazo in the eighth.
Baxter was equally formidable at the plate, driving in four runs. His offensive contributions included a two-run bloop single in the second inning and an RBI single during Norwood’s fourth-inning surge that chased Concord starting pitcher Brian Morin from the game.
Constructing the Lead
Norwood manufactured its early advantage in the second inning thanks to disciplined plate appearances and aggressive base running. Following walks and a balk, Tom Benson drove in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly. Baxter followed with his two-run single, and Dan O’Rourke added an RBI single to push the lead to 4-0.
Norwood extended its advantage in the fourth inning when Ghostlaw reached on an error to score Kevin Igoe, followed by another RBI single from O’Rourke. The squad added insurance later in the game, highlighted by a towering solo home run over the right-center field fence by Ted Decareau in the sixth inning. Decareau also manufactured Norwood’s final run in the eighth by singling, advancing on a hit by Jim Delbou, and scoring while Delbou was caught stealing.
Looking Ahead to the Next Round
Reflecting on the team’s tournament experience and composure, Norwood Coach Pete Wall emphasized that past appearances provide a vital mental edge. “Experience is the difference,” Wall noted. “We’ve been there. I hope it pays off. We’re ready to play ball.”
With the opening win secured, Norwood advances in the tournament schedule to face the Auburn Post of Cranston, Rhode Island, which advanced following a 12-1 victory over Spring Valley, New York.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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